Discourses on the sober life (Discorsi della vita sobria) Being the personal narrative of Luigi Cornaro (1467-1566, A. D.)

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LUIGI CORNARO

1

DISCOURSES ON THE SOBER LIFE

(DISCORSI BELLA VITA SOBRIA)

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DISCOURSES ON THE
SOBER LIFE

(DISCORSI DELLA VITA SOBRIA)

Being the Personal Narrative of Luigi Cornaro
(1467-1566, A.D.)

NEW YORK

THOMAS Y. CROWELL COMPANY

PUBLISHERS

^.^ '■ c •<

HEALTH
UBHAHy

The most remarkable instance of the efficacy of temper-
ance toward the procuring of long life, is what we meet with
in a little book published by Luigi Cornaro, the Venetian;
which I the rather mention, because it is of undoubted
credit, as the late Venetian ambassador, who was of the
same family, attested more than once in conversation, when
he resided in England. Cornaro, who was the author of the
little "Treatise" I am mentioning, was of an infirm consti-
tution, till about forty, when, by obstinately persisting in an
exact course of temperance, he recovered a perfect state of
health; insomuch that at fourscore he published his book,
which has been translated into English under the title "A
Sure and Certain Method of Attaining a Long and Healthy
Life." He lived to give a third or fourth edition of it; and,
after having passed his hundredth year, died without pain or
agony, and like one who falls asleep. The "Treatise" I men-
tion haa been taken notice of by several eminent authors, and
is written with such a spirit of cheerfulness, religion and good
sense, as are fhe ni^tural. cx)ncoaiitants of temperance and
sobriety. The mixture of 'tte 'old man in it is rather a recom-
mendation fha\i> diaercdit to .it.r-JosEPH Addison, in "The
Spectator." ' -* ' '* ' \' ; . ; ' . •

I

CONTENTS

PAOB

BIOGRAPHICAL INTRODUCTION ... 7
FIRST DISCOURSE

ON A TEMPERATE AND HEALTHFUL LIFE . .15

SECOND DISCOURSE

SHOWING THE SUREST METHOD OF CORRECTING AN
INFIRM CONSTITUTION . . . . .38

THIRD DISCOURSE

THE METHOD OF ENJOYING COMPLETE HAPPINESS IN
OLD AGE ....... 49

FOURTH DISCOURSE

AN EXHORTATION TO A SOBER AND REGULAR LIFE,

IN ORDER TO ATTAIN OLD AGE . . . .55

345214

INTRODUCTION

THE COENARO FAMILY

The family to which Luigi Cornaro belonged
flourished from the fifteenth to the eighteenth cen-
turies, and was held in high honor in the great days
of the Venetian Republic, several members being
elected to the Chief Magistracy. Perhaps the most
celebrated was a female — Caterina Cornaro, who was
born in 1454, and who^ while yet in her teens, became
the wife of the King of Cyprus, the island having
passed under the dominion of Venice after the fall of
the Latin Emperors of Byzantium.

In 1473 Caterina lost her husband. Although only
in her twentieth year she seized the reins of govern-
ment, and ruled the kingdom for sixteen years, when
a revolution forced her. to abdicate in favor of a
Republic.

The ex-Queen returned to Italy, retiring to Asolo,
near Treviso, where, until her death in 1516, she held
a brilliant Court, which became the resort of the
most renowned savants, artists and wits of her time.

Many portraits of Queen Caterina are in existence,
the most celebrated being that painted by Paolo
Veronese, which is now in Vienna.

Caterina was not the only famous female member
7

8 THE SOBER LIFE

of the Cornaro family ; Lucrezia Cornaro, who flour-
ished from 1646 to 1684, was a prodigy of learn-
ing, her writings — eulogies, poems, essays — are well
known even at the present day; she was a member
of nearly every learned society in Europe, and in
1678 the University of Padua conferred on her the
degree of Doctor, an honor so rarely bestowed on a
female as to be almost unique.

liinGI COBNABO,

Thirteen years after the birth of Queen Caterina,
Luigi first saw the light In the city of Padua.
Throughout early youth and manhood he lived freely,
indulging himself without stint, especially in the mat-
ters of eating and drinking. Becoming involved in
the consequences of some malpractices on the part
of his relatives, he was deprived of his family digni-
ties, and although not banished from Venice, he was
excluded from all share in public appointments, which
ill-treatment he took so much to heart that he retired
to Padua.

He had already married Veronica, of the family
of Spiltemberg; but it was only after several years
that the only child of this union, a daughter named
Clara, was born. This lady eventually married John
Cornaro, a member of the Cypriote branch of the
Comaros.

INTRODUCTION 9

Having reached the age of thirty-five, the effects
of his hitherto intemperate life began to show them-
selves. As Cornaro himself wrote : "My stomach
became disordered, and I suffered pain from colic
and gout, attended by that which was yet worse — an
almost continual slow fever, a stomach generally out
of order, and a perpetual thirst. From these mis-
eries the only delivery I had to hope lor was Death."

HIS REFORMATION

Not for the first time, so he tells us, he sought
medical relief, and, luckily for himself, he found men
of sense who insisted that his only remedy lay in
renouncing his old ways of life.

He was urged to restrict his diet, both solid and
liquid, to that usually prescribed to sick people ; and
to use even that as sparingly as possible. On for-
mer occasions, when offered this sensible advice, he
had rejected it with impatience; but now his phy-
sicians added thiat if he did not at once adopt this
course of strict living there was no help for him, and
he must resign himself to an early death.

This was the turning point. Cornaro gradually
reduced his diet to a daily allowance of twelve ounces
of solid food and fourteen ounces of wine. In a few
days' time he began to perceive that his shattered
health was on the road to restoration; and con-

10 THE SOBER LIFE

tinuing this course, in less than one year he found
himself entirely freed from all his complaints.

The change wrought was not only physical, but
also psychical : Cornaro avowed that in his youth he
had been of a hasty and passionate temper; but by
his life of strict sobriety he secured so complete a
mastery over himself that he won the esteem of all
who knew him.

Cornaro became so habituated to this meagre fare
that an increase of two ounces of food and two
ounces of wine per day proved nearly fatal to him.
He was then about eighty years, of age, and had been
urged by his friends and relatives that it was neces-
sary that one so advanced in years should eat more
to support his declining powers. Cornaro's rational
argument that as a man advanced in years his stom-
ach grew weaker, and that, therefore, the tendency
should be to decrease rather than increase the sup-
ply of food, did not deter his friends from continuing
to pester him ; to please them, therefore, and by way
of experiment, he increased his daily allowance.
"This increase," he writes, "had in eight day's time
such an effect upon me that, from being cheerful and
brisk, I began to be peevish and melancholy, so that
nothing could please me. On the twelfth day I was
attacked with a violent pain in my side, which lasted
twenty-two hours, and was followed by a fever which

INTRODUCTION 11

lasted thirty-five days without any respite ; insomuch
that all looked upon me as a dead man. But, God
be praised, I recovered, and I am positive that it
was only the great regularity I have observed for so
many years, and that only, which rescued me from
the jaws of death.'*

Later on, Cornaro yet further reduced his diet,
until he found that he could support life and vigor
on as little meat-food as one egg per diem. There is
much remarkable testimony as to the wonderful vi-
tality displayed by Cornaro, even when he had passed
the age allotted to man by the Psalmist. He related
how he was thrown from a carriage and dragged
along for some distance before the horses could be
stopped. He was severely battered and bruised, and
his leg and arm were dislocated. The physicians were
of opinion that there was no hope for him, and gave
him but three more days to live, but wished to try
what bleeding and purging would do to prevent
inflammation and fever.

But Cornaro stoutly refused to submit to these
remedial measures. He allowed his arm and leg to
be set, and himself to be rubbed with oils, and shortly
afterward was completely restored, much to the
amazement of the physicians.

In 1548, at the age of eighty, Cornaro published
his celebrated treatise, "Discorsi della vita sobria,"

12 THE SOBER LIFE

which he supplemented with three others on the same
subject. As Addison wrote, "this treatise is written
with such a spirit of cheerfulness, religion, and good
sense, as are the natural concomitants of temperance
and sobriety." Besides these treatises he is said to
have written a comedy which was received with great
applause.

HIS DEATH

Luigi Comaro died in 1566, being then in his
ninety-ninth year, though some writers have main-
tained that he survived until he attained the ripe age
of 103.

Almost to the very last he was as vigorously active
as ever, taking pedestrian or riding exercise. His
eyesight and hearing were sound and good, and as
one of his contemporaries has related, "he preserved
his voice so clear and harmonious that at the end of
his life he sung with as much strength and delight
as he did at the age of twenty-five.'* In his treatise
Comaro stated liis firm belief that he would not die
except hy mere dissolution. He felt convinced that
by his regular course of life he had, to use his own
words : "shut out all other avenues of death.'* More
than once he expresses his conviction that pain and
agony would not accompany his end as they do tliat
of most other human beings. And tliis belief was jus-
tified by fact.

INTRODUCTION 13

According to the most widely accepted evidence
Cornaro died in his place of retreat at Padua on
April 26th5 1566, and 'Was buried in accordance with
his own desire, with simple ceremony in St. Anthony's
Church, on May 8th. From the same source we have
it that he himself felt that his last hour was drawing
nigh, and he disposed himself, patiently, with the
purity of a Christian and the courage of a philoso-
pher, to depart this life. He drew up his will, and
set all his affairs in order, after which he received
the last sacrament, and awaited death in his chair.
He fell into a slight stupor, feeling no manner of
pain, and thus breathed his last breath.

His wife survived him some years, and it is said
that "death came to her as mercifully as to her hus-
band." She passed away without any convulsive
movements, and with so perfect a tranquillity that it
was not perceived at what moment she died.

The First Discourse
ON A TEMPERATE AND HEALTHFUL LIFE

It is universally agreed, that custom, in time, be-
comes a second nature, forcing men to use that,
whether good or bad, to which they have been habit-
uated ; in fact, we see habit, in many instances, gain
the ascendancy over reason. This is so undeniably
true, that virtuous men, by keeping company with
wicked, often fall into the same vicious course of life.
Seeing and considering all this, I have decided to
write on the vice of intemperance in eating and
drinking.

Now, though all are agreed that intemperance is
the parent of gluttony, and sober living the offspring
of absteminousness ; yet, owing to the power of cus-
tom, the former is considered a virtue, and the latter
as mean and avaricious ; and so many men are blinded
and besotted to such a degree, that they come to the
age of forty or fifty, burdened with strange and pain-
ful infirmities, which render them decrepit and use-
less ; whereas, had they lived temperately and soberly,
they would in all probability have been sound and
hearty, to the age of eighty and upward. To remedy

15

16 THE SOBER LIFE

this state of things, it is requisite that men should
live up to the simplicity dictated by nature, which
teaches us to be content with little, and accustom
ourselves to eat no more than is absolutely neces-
sary to support life, remembering that all excess
causes disease and leads to death. How many friends
of mine, men of the finest understanding and most
amiable disposition, have I seen carried off in the
flower of their manhood by reason of excess and over-
feeding, who, had they been temperate, would now be
living, and ornaments to society, and whose company
I should enjoy with as much pleasure as I am now
(deprived of it with concern.

In order, therefore, to put a stop to so great an
evil, I have resolved, in this short discourse, to demon-
strate that intemperance is an abuse which may be
removed, and that the good old sober living may be
substituted in its stead; and this I undertake the
more readily, as many young men of the best under-
standing have urged upon me its necessity because
of many of their parents having died in middle life,
while I remain so sound and hearty at the age of
eighty-one. These young men express a desire to
reach the same term, nature not forbidding us to wish
for longevity ; and old age, being, in fact, that time
of life in which prudence can be best exercised, and
the fruits of all the other virtues enjoyed with the

TEMPERATE AND HEALTHFUL LIFE 17

least opposition, the senses then being so subdued,
that man gives himself up entirely to reason. They
besought me to let them know the method pursued
by me to attain it ; and then, finding them intent on
so laudable a pursuit, I resolved to treat of that
method, in order to be of service, not only to them,
but to all those who may be willing to peruse this
discourse,

I shall therefore give my reasons for renouncing
intemperance and betaking myself to a sober course
of life, and declare freely the method pursued by me
for that purpose, and then show the good effect upon
me ; from whence it will be seen how easy it is to re-
move the abuse of free living. I shall conclude, by
showing the many conveniences and blessings of tem-
perate life.

I say, then, that the heavy train of infirmities
which had made great inroads on my constitution,
were my motives for renouncing intemperance, in the
matter of too freely eating and drinking, to which I
had been addicted, so that, in consequence of it, my
stomach became disordered, and I suffered much pain
from colic and gout, attended by that which was still
worse, an almost continual slow fever, a stomach gen-
erally out of order, and a perpetual thirst. From
these disorders, the best delivery I had to hope was
death.

18 THE SOBER LIFE

Finding myself, therefore, between my thirty-fifth
and fortieth year in such unhappy circumstances,
and having tried everything that could be thought of
to relieve me, but to no purpose, the physicians gave
me to understand that there was one method left to
get the better of my complaints, provided I would
resolve to use it, and patiently persevere. This was
to live a strictly sober and regular life, which would
be of the greatest efficacy; and that of this I might
convince myself, since, by my disorders I was become
infirm, though not reduced so low but that a regular
life might still recover me. They further added, that,
if I did not at once adopt this method of strict liv-
ing, I should in a few months receive no benefit from
it, and that in a few more I must resign myself to
death*

These arguments made such an impression on me,
that, mortified as I was, besides, by the thought of
dying in the prime of life, though at the same time
perpetually tormented by various diseases, I imme-
diately resolved, in order to avoid at once both dis-
ease and death, to betake myself to a regular course
of life. Having upon this inquired of them what
rules I should follow, they told mQ that I must only
use food, solid or liquid, such as is generally pre-
scribed to sick persons ; and both sparingly. These
directions, to say the truth, they had before given

TEMPERATE AND HEALTHFUL LIFE 19

me, but I had been impatient of such restraint, and
had eaten and drank freely of those things I had de-
sired. But, xwhen I had once resolved to live soberly,
and according to the dictates of reason, feeling it
was my duty as a man so to do, I entered with so
much resolution upon this new course of life, that
nothing since has been able to divert me from it.
The consequence was, that in a few days I began to
perceive that such a course agreed well with me;
and, by pursuing it, I found myself in less than a
year (some people, perhaps, will not believe it) en-
tirely freed from all my complaints.

Having thus recovered my health, I began seri-
ously to consider the power of temperance: if it had
efficacy enough to subdue such grievous disorders as
mine it must also have power to preserve me in health
and strengthen my bad constitution. I therefore ap-
plied myself diligently to discover what kinds of food
suited me best.

But, first, I resolved to try whether those which
pleased my palate were agreeable to my stomach, so
that I might judge of the truth of the proverb, which
is so universally held, namely: — That, whatever
pleases the palate, must agree with the stomach, or,
that whatever is palatable must be wholesome and
nourishing. The issue was, that I found it to be
false, for I soon found that many things which pleased

20 THE SOBER LIFE

my palate, disagreed with my stomach. Having thus
convinced myself that the proverb in question was
false, I gave over the use of such meats and wines as
did not suit me, and chose those which by experience
I found agreed well with me, taking onli/ as much as
I could easily digest, having strict regard to quantity
as well as quality ; and contrived matters so as never
to cloy my stomach with eating or drinking, and
always rose from the table with a disposition to eat
and drink more. In this I conformed to the proverb,
which says, that a 'man to consult his health must
chiBck his appetite. Having in this manner conquered
intemperance I betook myself entirely to a temper-
ate and regular life, and this it was which eifected in
me that alteration already mentioned, that is, in less
than a year, it rid me of all those disorders which
had taken such hold on me, and which appeared at the
time incurable. It had likewise this other good effect,
that I no longer experienced those annual fits of sick-
ness, with wliich I used to be afflicted while I followed
my ordinary free manner of eating and drinking. I
also became exceedingly healthy, as I have continued
from that tim'e to this day ; and for no other reason
than that I never transgressed against regularity and
strict moderation.

In consequence, therefore, of my taking such meth-
ods, I have always enjoyed, and, God be praised, still

TEMPERATE AND HEALTHFUL LIFE 21

enjoy, the best of health. It is true, that, besides
the two most important rules rela/tive: to eating and
drinking, which I have ever been very scrupulous to
observe (that is, not tor take of either, more than my
stomach could easily digest, 'and to use- only those
things which agree with me.) , I have oarefully avoided,
as far as possible, all extreme heat, cold, extraordi-
nary fatigue, interruption of my usual hours of rest,
or staying long in bad air. I likewise did all that lay
in my power, to avoid those evils, which we do not
find it so easy to remove: melancholy, hatred, aaid
other violent passions, which appear to have the
greatest influence on our bodies. I have not, how-
ever, been able to guard so well against these dis-
orders, as not to- suffer myself now and then to be
hurried away by them. But I have discovered this
fact, that these passions., have, in the main, no great
influence over bodies governed by the two foregoing
rules of eating^ and drinking. Galen, who was an
eminent physician, has said., that, so long as he fol-
lowed these two rules, he suffered but little from such
disorders, so little, that they never gave him above
a day's uneasiness. That what he says is true, I am
a living witness, and so are many others who know
me, and have seen me, how often I have been exposed
to heats and colds, and disagreeable changes of
weather, without taking harm, and have likewise seen

22 THE SOBER LIFE

me (owing to various misfortunes which have more
than once befallen me) greatly disturbed in mind;
these things, however, did me but little harm, whereas,
other members of my family, w^lo followed not my
way of living, were greatly disturbed; such in a
word, was their grief and dejection at seeing me in-
volved in expensive law suits, commenced against me
by great and powerful men, that, fearing I should be
ruined, they were seized with great melancholy hu-
mor, with which intemperate bodies always abound,
and such influence had it over their bodies, that they
were carried off before their time; whereas, I suf-
fered nothing on the occasion, as I h^d in me no
superfluous humors of th^t kind; nay, in order to
keep up my spirits, I brought myself to think that
God had permitted these suits against me, in order to
make me more sensible of my strength of body and
mind ; and that I should get the better of them With
honor and advantage^ as it, in fact, came to pass;
for, at last, I obtained a decree exceedingly favorajble
to my fortune an.d character.

But I may go a step farther, and show how fa-
vorable to recovery is a temperate life, in case of
accident. At the age of seventy years, I happened,
as is often the case, to be in a coach, which, going
at a smart rate, was upset, and in that condition
drawn a considerable way before the horses could

TEMPERATE AND HEALTHFUL LIFE 23

be stopped. I received so many shocks and bruises,
that I was taken out with my head and body terribly
battered, and a dislocated leg and arm. When the
physicians saw me in so bad a plight, they concluded
that in three days I should die, but thought they
would try what bleeding and purging would do, in
order to prevent inflammation and fever. But I, on
the contrary, knowing that, by reason of the sober
life I had lived for so many years, my blood was in
good and pure condition, refused to be either purged
or bled. I just caused my arm and leg to be set,
and suffered myself to be rubbed with some oils, which
they said were proper on the occasion. Thus, with-
out using any other kind of remedy, I recovered, as
I thought I should, without feeling the least altera-
tion in myself, or any bad effects from the accident ;
a thing which appeared no less than miraculous in
the eyes of the physicians. Hence, we may infer,
that he who leads a sober and regular life, and com-
mits no excess in his diet, can suffer but little from
mental disorders or external accidents. On the con-
trary, I conclude, especially from the late trial I have
had, that excesses in eating and drinking are often
fatal. Four years ago, I consented to increase the
quantity of my food by two ounces, my friends and
relations having, for some time past, urged upon me
the necessity of such increase, that the quantity I

24 THE SOBER LIFE

took was too little for one so advanced in years;
against this, I urged that nature was content with
little, and that with this small quantity I had pre-
served myself for many years in health and activity,
that I believed as a man advanced in years, his stom-
ach grew Weaker, and therefore the tendency should
be to lessen the amount of food rather than to in-
crease. I further reminded them of the two proverbs,
which say: he who has a. mind to eat a great deal,
must eat but little; eating little makes life long, and,
living long, he must eat much ; and the other proverb
was : that, what we leave after making a hearty meal,
does us more good than what we have eaten. But my
arguments and proverbs were not able to prevent
them teasing me upon the subject; therefore, not to
appear obstinate, or affecting to know more than the
physicians themselves, but above all, to please my
family, I consented to the increase before mentioned ;
so that, whereas previous, what with bread, meat, the
yolk of an egg^ and soup, I ate as much as twelve
ounces, neither more nor less, I now increased it to
fourteen; and whereas before I drank but fourteen
ounces of wine, I now increased it to sixteen. This
increase, had, in eight days' time, such an effect upon
me, that, from being cheerful and brisk, I began to
be peevish and melancholy, so that nothing could
please me. On the twelfth day, I was attacked with a

TEMPERATE AND HEALTHFUL LIFE 25

violent pain in my side, which lasted twenty-two
hours and was followed by a fever, which continued
thirty-five days without any respite, insomuch that
all looked upon me as a dead man; but, God be
praised, I recovered, and I am positive that it was
the great regularity I had observed for so many
years, and that only, which rescued me from the jaws
of death.

Orderly living is, doubtless, a most certain cause
and foundation of health and long life ; nay, I say it
is the only true medicine, and whoever weighs the mat-
ter well, will come to this conclusion. Hence it is,
that when the physician comes to visit a patient, the
first thing he prescribes is regular living, and cer-
tainly to avoid excess. Now, if the patient after re-
covery should continue so to live, he could not be
sick again, and if a very small quantity of food is
sufficient to re-store his health, then but a slight addi-
tion is necessary for the continuance of the same ;
and so, for the future, he would want neither phy-
sician nor physic. Nay, by attending to what I have
said, he would become his own physician, and in-
deed, the best he could have, since, in fact, no man
should be a perfect physician to any but, himself.
The reason is, that any man, by repeated trials, may
acquire a perfect knowledge of his own constitution,
the kinds of food and drink which agree with him

26 THE SOBER LIFE

best. These repeated trials are necessary, as there
is a great variety in the nature and stomachs of per-
sons. I found that old wine did not suit me, but that
the new wines did; and, after long practice, I dis-
covered that many things, which might not be in-
jurious to others, were not good for me. Now, where
is the physician who could have informed me which to
take, and which to avoid, since I by long observation,
could scarce discover these things.

It follows, therefore, that it is impossible to be a
perfect physician to another. A man cannot have a
better guide than himself, nor any physic better than
a regular life. I do not, however, mean that for the
knowledge and cure of such disorders as befall those
who live an irregular life there is no occasion for a
physician and that his assistance ought to be slighted ;
such persons should at once call in medical aid, in
case of sickness. But, for the bare purpose of keep-
ing ourselves in good health, I am of opinion, that
we should consider this regular life as our physician,
since it preserves men, even those of a weak constitu-
tion, in health ; makes them live sound and hearty, to
the age of one hundred and upward, and prevents
their dying of sickness, or through the corruption of
their humors, but merely by the natural decay, which
at the last must come to all. These things, however,
are discovered but by few, for men, for the most part,

TEMPERATE AND H \:.T IFUL LIFE 27

are sensual and intemperate, and lOve to satisfy their
appetites, and to commit every excess ; and, by way
of apology, say that they prefer a short and self-
indulgent life, to a long and self-denying one, not
knowing that those men are most truly happy who
keep their appetites in subjection. Thus have I
found it, and I prefer to live temperately, so that I
may live long and be useful. Had I not been tem-
perate, I should never have written these tracts, which
I have the pleasure of thinking will be serviceable to
others. Sensual men affirm that no man can live a
regular life. To this I answer, that Galen, who was
a great physician, led such a life, and chose it as the
best physic. The same did Plato, Cicero, Isocrates,
and many other great men of former times, whom
not to tire the reader I forbear naming; and, in our
days. Pope Paul Farnese and Cardinal Bembo ; and
it was for that reason they lived so long. There-
fore, since many have led this life, and many are
actually leading it, surely all might conform to it,
and the more so, as no great difficulty attends it.
Cicero affirms that nothing is needed, but to- be in
good earnest. Plato, you say, though he himself
lived thus regularly, affirms that, in republics, men
often cannot do so, being obliged to expose them-
selves to various hardships and changes, which are
incompatible with a regular life. I answer, that men

28 THE SOBER LIFE

who have to undergo these things, would be the better
able to bear such hardships by being strictly temper-
ate in matters of eating and drinking.

Here it may be objected, that he who leads this
strict and regular life, having constantly when well
made use only of simple food fit for the sick, and in
small quantities, has when himself in sickness, no re-
course left in matters of diet. To which I reply,
that, whoever leads a regular life, cannot be sick or
at least but seldom. By a regular life I mean, that
a man shall ascertain for himself, how small a quan-
tity of food and drink is sufficient to supply the daily
wants of his nature and then having done this, and
found out the kinds of food and drink best suited for
his constitution, he shall, having formed his plans,
strictly adhere to his resolutions and principles, not
being careful at one time, and self-indulgent at others,
for by so doing, he would gain but little benefit ; but
taking care always to avoid excess, which any man
can certainly do at all times, and under all circum-
stances, if he is determined. I say then, that he who
thus lives cannot be sick, or but seldom, and for a
short time, because, by regular living, he destroys
every seed of sickness, and thus, by removing the
cause, prevents the effect; so that he who pursues a
regular and strictly moderate life, need not fear
illness, for his blood having become pure, and free

TEMPERATE AND HEALTHFUL LIFE 29

from all bad humors, it is not possible that he can
fall sick.

Since, therefore, it appears that a regular life is
so profitable and virtuous, it ought to be universally
followed ; and more so, as it does not clash with du-
ties of any kind, but is easy to all. Neither is it nec^
essary that all should eat as little as I do — twelve
ounces — or not to eat of many things from which I,
because of the natural weakness of my stomach, ab-
stain. Those with whom all kinds of food agree,
may eat of such, only they are forbidden to eat a
greater quantity, even of that which agrees with them
best, than their stomachs can with ease digest. The
same is to be understood of drink. The only rule
for such to observe in eating, and drinking, is the
quantity rather than the quality ; but for those who,
like myself, are weak of constitution, these must not
only be careful as to quantity, but also to quality,
partaking only of such things as are simple, and easy
to digest.

Let no one tell me that there are numbers, who,
though they live most irregularly, attain in health
and spirits to a great age. This argument is
grounded on uncertainty and hazard, and such cases
are rare. Men should not, therefore, because of these
exceptional cases, be persuaded to irregularity or
indulgence. Whoever, trusting to the strength of

80 THE SOBER LIFE

his constitution, slights these observations, may ex-
pect to suffer by so doing, and to live in constant
danger of disease and death. I therefore affirm, that
a man, even of a bad constitution, who leads a strictly
regular and sober life, is surer of a long one, than he
of the best constitution who lives carelessly and ir-
regularly. If men have a mind to live long and
healthy, and die without sickness of body or mind,
but by mere dissolution, they must submit to a regu-
lar and abstemious life, for such a life keeps the blood
clean and pure. It suffers no vapors to ascend from
the stomach to the head; hence, the brain of him
who thus lives enjoys constant serenity; he can soar
above the low and groveling concerns of this life to
the exalted and beautiful contemplation of heavenly
things to his exceeding comfort and satisfaction. He
then truly discerns the brutality of those excesses
into which men fall, and which bring them misery
here and hereafter; while he may with comfort look
forward to a long life, conscious that, through the
mercy of God, he has relinquished the paths of vice
and intemperance, never again to enter them; and,
through the merits of our Saviour Jesus Christ, to
idie in His favor. He therefore does not suffer him-
self to be cast down with the thoughts of death, know-
ing that it will not attack him violently, or by sur-
prise, or with sharp pains and feverish sensations,

TEMPERATE AND HEALTHFUL LIFE 31

but will come upon him with ease and gentleness ; like
a lamp, the oil of which is exhausted, he will pass
gently, and without any sickness, from this terres-
trial and mortal, to a celestial and eternal life.

Some sensual unthinking persons affirm, that a
long life is no great blessing, and that the state of a
man, who has passed his seventy-fifth year, cannot
really be called life ; but this is wrong, as I shall fully
prove; and it is my sincere wish, that all men would
endeavor to attain my age, that they might enjoy
that period of life, which of all others is most de-
sirable.

I will therefore give an account of my recreations,
and the relish which I find at this stage of life. There
are many who can give testimony as to the happiness
of my life. In the first place, they see with astonish-
ment the good state of my health and spirits ; how I
mount my horse without assistance, how I not only
ascend a flight of stairs, but can climb a hill with
greatest ease. Then, how gay and good-humored I
am ; my mind ever undisturbed, in fact, joy and peace
having fixed their abode in my breast. Moreover,
they know in what manner I spend my time, so as
never to find life weary: I pass my hours in great
delight and pleasure, in converse with men of good
sense and intellectual culture; then, when I cannot
enjoy their company, I betake myself to the reading

82 THE SOBER LIFE

of some good book. When I have read as much as I
like, I write ; endeavoring in this, as in other things
to be of service to others ; and these things I do with
the greatest ease to myself, living in a pleasant house
in the most beautiful quarter of this noble city of
Padua. Besides this house, I have my gardens, sup-
plied with pleasant streams in which I always find
something to do which amuses me. Nor are my rec-
reations rendered less agreeable by the failing of any
of my senses, for they are all, thank God, perfect,
particularly my palate, which now relishes better the
simple fare I have, than it formerly did the most
delicate dishes, when I led an irregular life. Nor
does the change of beds give me any uneasiness: I
can sleep everywhere soundly and quietly, and my
dreams are pleasant and delightful. It is likewise
with the greatest pleasure I behold the success of an
undertaking so important to this state; I mean that
of draining and improving so many uncultivated
pieces of ground, an undertaking begun within my
memory, but which I thought I should never see com-
pleted; nevertheless I have, and was even in person
assisting in the work for two months together, in
those marshy places during the heats in summer,
without ever finding myself worse for the fatigues or
inconveniences I suffered ; of so much efficacy is that
orderly life, which I everywhere constantly lead.

TEMPERATE AND HEALTHFUL LIFE 33

Such are some of the recreations and diversions of
my old age, which is so much the more to be valued
than the old age, or even the youth of other men ; as,
being freed by God's grace from the perturbations
of the mind and the infirmities of the body, I no
longer experience any of those contrary emotions
which rack such a number of young men and as many
old ones, who, by reason of their careless living
and intemperate habits, are destitute of health and
strength, and consequently of all true enjoyment.

And if it be lawful to compare little matters to
aifairs of importance, I will further venture to say,
that such are the effects of this sober life, that, at my
present age of eighty-three, I have been able to write
an entertaining comedy, abounding with innocent
mirth and pleasant jests.

I have yet another comfort which I will mention;
that of seeing a kind of immortality in a succession
of descendants; for, as often as I return home, I
find before me, not one or two, but eleven grandchil-
dren, the oldest of them eighteen, all the offspring of
one father and mother, and all blessed with good
health. Some of the youngest I play with; those
older, I make companions of; and, as nature has be-
stowed good voices upon them, I amuse myself by
hearing them sing, and play on different instruments.
Nay, I sing myself, as I have a better voice now,

84 THE SOBER LIFE

clearer and louder, than at any period of my life.
Such are the recreations of my old age.

Whence it appears, that the life I lead is not
gloomy, but cheerful, and I would not exchange my
manner of living and my gray hairs, with that of
even a young man, having the best constitution, who
gave way to his appetites; knowing, as I do, that
such are daily subject to a thousand kinds of ail-
ments and death. I remember my own conduct in
early life, and I know how foolhardy are young men ;
how apt they are to presume on their strength in all
their actions, and by reason of their little experience,
are oversanguine in their expectations. Hence, they
often expose themselves rashly to every kind of dan-
ger, and, banishing reason, bow their necks to the
yoke of concupiscence, and endeavor to gratify all
their appetites, not minding, fools as they are, that
they thereby hasten the approach of what they would
most willingly avoid, sickness and death.

And these are two great evils to all men who live
a free life; the one is troublesome and painful, the
other, dreadful and insupportable, especially when
they reflect on the errors to which this mortal life is
subject, and on the vengeance which the justice of
God is wont to take on sinners. Whereas, I, in my
old age, praise to the Almighty, am exempt from
these torments ; from the first, because I cannot fall

TEMPERATE AND HEALTHFUL LIFE 35

sick, having removed all the cause of illness by my
regularity and moderation; from the other, that of
death, because from so many years' experience, I
have learned to obey reason ; whereas, I not only think
it a great folly to fear that which cannot be avoided,
but likewise firmly expect some consolation, from the
grace of Jesus Christ, when I arrive at that period.

But though I know I must, like others, reach that
term, it is yet at so great a distance that I cannot
discern it, because / kno'm I shall not die except hy
mere dissolwtion, having already, by my regular
course of life, shut up all other avenues of death,
and thus prevented the humors of my body making
any other war upon me, than that which I must ex-
pect from the elements employed in the composition
of this mortal frame. I am not so simple as not to
know that, as I was born, so I must die; but the
natural death that I speak of does not overtake one,
until after a long course of years ; and even then, I
do not expect the pain and agony which most men
suffer when they die. But I, by God's blessing,
reckon that I have still a long time to live in health
and spirits, and enjoy this beautiful world, which is,
indeed, beautiful to those who know how to make it
so, but its beauty can only be realized by those who,
by reason of temperance and virtue, enjoy sound
health of body and mind.

36 THE SOBER LIFE

Now, if this sober and moderate manner of living
brings so much happiness ; if the blessings that attend
it are so stable and permanent, then I beseech every
man of sound judgment to embrace this valuable
treasure, that of a long and healthful life, a treasure
which exceeds all other worldly blessings, and, there-
fore, should be sought after ; for what is wealth and
abundance to a man who is possessed with a feeble
and sickly body? This is that divine sobriety, agree-
able to God, the friend of nature, the daughter of
reason, the sister of all the virtues, the companion of
temperate living, modest, courteous, content with lit-
tle, regular, and perfectly mistress of all her opera-
tions. From her, as from their proper root, spring
life, health, cheerfulness, industry, learning and all
those actions and employments worthy of noble and
generous minds. The laws of God are all in her favor.
Repletion, excess, intemperance, superfluous humors,
diseases, fevers, pains, and the dangers of death, van-
ish in her presence, as mists before the sun. Her
comeliness ravishes every well-disposed mind. Her
influence is so sure, as to promise to all a long and
agreeable life. And, lastly, she promises to be a mild
and pleasant guardian of life, teaching how to ward
off the attacks of death. Strict sobriety, in eating
and drinking, renders the senses and understanding
clear, the memory tenacious, the body lively and

TEMPERATE AND HEALTHFUL LIFE 37

strong, the movements regular and easy; and the
soul, feeling so little of her earthly burden, experi-
ences much of her natural liberty. The man thus
enjoys a pleasing and agreeable harmony, there be-
ing nothing in his system to disturb ; for his blood is
pure, and runs freely through his veins, and the heat
of his body is mild and temperate.

The Second Discourse

SHOWING THE SUREST METHOD OF COR-
RECTING AN INFIRM CONSTITUTION

My treatise on a sober life has begun to answer
my desire, in being of service to many persons bom
of a weak constitution, or who, by reason of free liv-
ing, have become infirm, who, when they commit the
least excess, find themselves greatly indisposed. I
should also be glad to be of service to those, who,
bom with a good constitution, yet, by reason of a
disorderly life, find themselves at the age of fifty or
sixty attacked with various pains and diseases, such
as gout, sciatica, liver and stomach complaints, to
which they would not be subject, were they to live a
strictly temperate life, and by so doing would more-
over greatly increase the term of their existence, and
live with much greater comfort; they would find
themselves less irritable, and less disposed to be upset
by inconvenience and annoyance. I was myself of a
most irritable disposition, insomuch that at times
there was no living with me. Now, for a very long
time it has been otherwise, and I can see that a per-
son swayed by his passions is little or no better than
a madman at such times.

88

AN INFIRM CONSTITUTION 39

The man, also, who is of a bad constitution, may,
by dint of reason, and a regular and sober life, live
to a great age and in good health, as I have done,
who had naturally one of the worst, so that it ap-
peared impossible I should live above forty years,
whereas, I now find myself sound and hearty at the
age of eighty-six ; forty-six years beyond the time I
had expected; and during this long respite all my
senses have continued perfect ; and even my teeth, my
voice, my memory, and my heart. But what is still
more, my brain is clearer now than it ever was. Nor
do any of my powers abate as I advance in life ; and
this because, as I grow older, I lessen the quantity of
my solid food. This retrenchment is necessary, since
it is impossible for man to live for ever; and, as he
draws near his end, he is brought so low as to be
able to take but little nourishment, and at such times,
the yolk of an egg, and a few spoonfuls of milk with
bread, is quite sufficient during the twenty-four
hours; a greater quantity would most likely cause
pain, and shorten life. In my own case, I expect to
die without any pain or sickness, and this is a bless-
ing of great importance; yet may be expected by
those who shall lead a sober life, whether they be
rich or poor. And, since a long and healthy life
ought to be greatly coveted by every man, then I
conclude that all men are in duty bound to exert

40 THE SOBER LIFE

themselves to that effect ; nevertheless such a blessing
cannot be obtained without strict temperance and
sobriety. But some allege that many, without lead-
ing such a life, have lived to a hundred, and that in
good health, though they ate a great deal, and used
indiscriminately eVery kind of viands and wine, and
therefore they flatter themselves that they shall be
equally fortunate. But in this they are guilty of two
mistakes : the first is, that it is not one in fifty thou-
sand that eVer attains that happiness ; the other mis-
take is, that such, in the end, most certainly contract
some illness, which carries them off: nor can they be
sure of ending their days otherwise ; so that the safest
way to attain a long and healthful life, is to embrace
sobriety, and to diet oneself strictly as to quantity.
And this is no very difficult affair. History informs
us of many who lived in the greatest temperance;
and this present age furnishes us with many such,
reckoning myself one of the number: we are all hu-
man beings, endowed with reason, and consequently
we ought to be master of all our actions.

This sobriety is reduced to two things, quality and
quantity. Ths first consists in avoiding food or
drinks, which are found to disagree with the stomach.
The second, to avoid taking more than the stomach
can easily digest; and every man at the age of forty
ought to be a perfect judge in these matters; and

AN INFIRM CONSTITUTION 41

whoever observes these two rules, may be said to live
a regular and sober life. And the virtue and efficacy
of this life is such, that the humors in a man's blood
become harmonious and perfect, and are no longer
liable to be disturbed or corrupted by any disorders,
such as suffering from excessive heat or cold, too
much fatigue, or want of rest, and the like. A man
who lives as I have described, may pass through all
these changes without harm. Wherefore, since the
humors of persons who observe these two rules rela-
tive to eating and drinking, cannot possibly be cor-
rupted and engender acute diseases (the cause of un-
timely death), every man is bound to comply with
them, for whoever acts otherwise, living a disorderly
life, instead of a regular one, is constantly exposed
to disease and death.

It is, indeed, true that even those who observe the
two rules relating to diet, the observance of which
constitutes a regular life, may, by committing any
one of the other irregularities, such as excessive heat,
cold, fatigue, etc., find himself slightly indisposed for
a day or two, but he need fear nothing worse.

But as there are some persons who, though well
stricken in years, are, nevertheless, very free in their
living, and allege that neither the quantity nor the
quality of theii* diet makes any impression upon
them, and therefore eat a great deal of everything

42 THE SOBER LIFE

without distinction, and indulge themselves equally
in point of drinking; such men are ignorant of the
requirements of their nature, or they are gluttonous ;
and I do affirm, that such do not enjoy good health,
but as a rule are infirm, irritable, and full of maladies.
There are others, who say that it is necessary that
they should eat and drink freely to keep up their
natural heat, which is constantly diminishing, as they
advance in years ; and that it is therefore their duty
to eat heartily of such things as please their palate,
and that strict moderation, in their casef. Would tend
to* shorten life. Now, this is the reason, or excuse, of
thousands. But to all this, I answer, that all such
are deceiving themselves, and I speak from experi-
ence, as well as observation. The fact is, large quan-
tities of food cannot be digested by old stomachs ; as
man gets weaker as he grows older, and the waste in
his system is slower*, the natural heat certainly is
less. Nor will all the food in the world increase it,
except to bring on fever and distressing disorders;
therefore, let none be afraid of shortening their days
by eating too little. I am strong and hearty, and full
of good spirits, neither have I ache or pain, and yet
I am very old, and subsist upon very little; and, in
this respect, that which would suit one man, is good
for another. When men are taken ill they discoiv-
tinue, or nearly so, their food. Now, if by reducing

AN INFIRM CONSTITUTION 43

themselves to a small quantity, they recover from the
jaws of death, how can they doubt, but that, with a
slight increase of diet consistent with reason, they
will be able to support nature, when in health. Let
a fair, honest trial of some few weeks be given, and
the result would, in all cases, be most pleasing.

Others say, that it is better for a man to suffer
three or four times every year, from gout, sciatica,
or whatever disorder to which he may be subject,
than be tormented the whole year by not indulging
his appetite, and eating and drinking just as he
pleases, since he can always by a few days of self-
denial recover from all such attacks. To this I an-
swer, that, our natural heat growing less and less as
we advance in years, no abstinence for a short time
can have virtue sufficient to conquer the malady to
which the man is subject, and which is generally
brought on by repletion, so that he must die at last of
one of these periodical disorders; for they abridge
life in the same proportion as temperance and health
prolong it.

Others pretend that it is better to live a short and
self-indulgent life, than a long and self-denying one ;
but surely, longevity ought to be valued, and is, by
men of good understanding; and those who do not
truly prize this great gift of God, are surely a dis-
grace to mankind, and their death is a service to the

U THE SOBER LIFE

public rather than not. And again, there are some,
who, though they are conscious that they become
weaker as they advance in years, yet cannot be
brought to retrench the quantity of their food, but
rather increase it, and, because they find themselves
unable to digest the great quantity of food, with
which they load their stomachs twice or thrice a day,
they resolve to eat but once, heartily, in the twenty-
four hours. But this course is useless ; for the stom-
ach is still overburdened, and the food is not digested,
but turns into bad humors, by which the blood be-
comes poisoned, and thus a man kills himself long
before his time. I never met with an aged person who
enjoyed health, and lived that manner of life. Now,
all these men whose manner of life I have named,
would live long and happily, if, as they advanced in
years, they lessened the quantity/ of their food, and
ate oftener, and but little at a time, for old stomachs
cannot digest large quantities, men at this age be-
coming children again, who eat little and often during
the twenty-four hours.

O thrice holy sobriety, so useful to man, by rea-
son of the service thou dost render him ! Thou pro-
longest his days, by which means he greatly improves
his understanding and, by such knowledge, he can
avoid the bitter fruits of sensuality, which is an enemy
to man's reason. Thou, moreover, freest him from

AN INFIRM CONSTITUTION 45

the dreadful thoughts of death. How greatly ought
we to be indebted to thee, since by thee we en-
joy this beautiful world, which is really beautiful to
all whose sensibilities have not been deadened by re-
pletion, and whose minds have not been blighted by
sensuality! I really never knew till I grew old, that
the world was so beautiful ; for, in my younger years
I was debauched by irregularities, and therefore
could not perceive and enjoy, as I do now, its beau-
ties. O truly happy life, which, over and above all
these favors conferred on me, hast so improved and
perfected my body, that now I have a better relish
for plain bread, than formerly I had for the most ex-
quisite dainties! in fact I find such sweetness in it,
because of the good appetite I always have, that I
should be afraid of sinning against temperance, were
I not convinced of the absolute necessity for it, and
knowing that pure bread is, above all things, man's
best food, and while he leads a sober life, he may be
sure of never wanting that natural sauce, — a good
appetite — and moreover, I find that, whereas I used
to eat twice a day, now that I am much older, it is
better for me to eat four times, and still to lessen the
quantity as the years increase. And this is what I
do, guided by my experience; therefore, my spirits
being never oppressed by too much food, are always
brisk; especially after eating, so that I enjoy much

46 THE SOBER LIFE

the singing of a song, before I sit down to my writing.

Nor do I ever find myself the worse for writing
(directly after meals; my understanding is never
clearer ; and I am never drowsy ; the food I take being
too small a quantity to send up any fumes to the
brain, O, how advantageous it is to an old man to
eat but little; therefore I take but just enough to
keep body and soul together, and the things I eat are
as follows: bread, panado, eggs (the yolk), and
soups. Of flesh meat, I eat kid and mutton. I eat
poultry of every kind; also of sea and river fish.
Some men are too poor to allow themselves food of
this kind, but they may do well on bread (made from
wheat meal, which contains far more nutriment than
bread made from fine flour), panado, eggs, milk, and
vegetables. But though a man should eat nothing
but these, he may not eat more than his stomach can
with ease digest, never forgetting that it is the over-
quantity which injures, even more than the eating of
unsuitable food. And again I say, that whoever does
not transgress, in point of either quantity or quality,
cannot die, but by mere dissolution, except in cases
where there is some inherited disease to combat; but
such case^ are comparatively rare, and even here a
strict and sober diet will be of the greatest service.

O, what a diflFerence between a regular and tem-
perate life, and an irregular and intemperate life!

AN INFIRM CONSTITUTION 47

One gives health and longevity, the other produces
disease and untimely death. How many of my dear-
est relations and friends have I lost by their free
living, whereas, had they listened to me, they might
have been full of life and health. I am thus more
than ever determined to use my utmost endeavors to
make known the benefit of my kind of life. Here I
am, an old man, yet full of life and joy, happier than
at any previous period of my life, surrounded by
many comforts; not the least to mention are my
eleven grand-children, all of fine understanding and
amiable disposition, beautiful in their persons, and
well disposed to learning; and these, I hope so to
teach, that they shall take pattern after me, and
follow my kind of life.

Now, I am often at a loss to understand why men
of fine parts and understanding, who have attained
middle age, do not, when they find themselves attacked
by disorders and sickness, betake themselves to a
regular life, and that constantly. Is it because thiey
are in ignorance as to the importance of this sub-
ject? Surely, it cannot be that they afe enslaved
by their appetites to such an extent that they find
themselves unable to adopt a strict and regular diet?
As to young men, I am in no way surprised at their
refusal to live such a life, for their passions are
strong and usually their guide. Neither have they

48 THE SOBER LIFE

much experience; but, when a man has arrived at
the age of forty or fifty, surely he should in all
things be governed by reason. And this would teach
men that gratifying the appetite and palate, is not,
as many affirm, natural and right, but is the cause
of disease and premature death. Were this pleasure
of the palate lasting, it would be some excuse ; but it
is momentary, compared with the duration of the dis-
ease which its excess engenders. But it is a great
comfort to a man of sober life to reflect, that what he
eats will keep him in good health, and be productive
of no disease or infirmity.

The Third Discourse

THE METHOD OF ENJOYING COMPLETE
HAPPINESS IN OLD AGE

My Lord,

In writing to your Lordship, it is true I shall
speak of few things, but such as I have already men-
tioned in my essays, but I am sure your Lordship
will not tire of the repetition.

Now, my Lord, to begin, I must tell you, that
being now at the age of ninety-one, I am more sound
and hearty than ever, much to the amazement of
those who know me. I, who can account for it, am
bound to show that a man can enjoy a terrestrial
paradise after eighty; but it is not to be obtained,
except by strict temperance in food and drink, vir-
tues acceptable to God and friends to reason. I
must, however, go on to tell you, that, during the
past few days I have been visited by many of the
learned doctors of this university, as well as physi-
cians and philosophers who were well acquainted with
my age, life, and manners, also, that I was stout,
hearty, and lively, my senses perfect, also my voice
and teeth, likewise my memory and judgment. They

49

60 THE SOBER LIFE

knew, besides, that I constantly employed eight hours
every day in writing treatises, with my own hand, on
subjects useful to mankind, and spent many more
in walking and singing. O, my Lord, how melodious
my voice is grown! Were you to hear me chant
my prayers, and that to my lyre, after the example
of David, I am certain it would give you great pleas-
ure, my voice is so musical.

Now, these doctors and philosophers told me that
it was next to a miracle, that at my age, I should be
able to write upon subjects which required both judg-
ment and spirit, and added that I ought not to be
looked upon as a person advanced in years, since all
my occupations were those of a young man, and that
I was altogether unlike aged people of seventy and
eighty, who are subject to various ailments and dis-
eases, which render life a weariness; or, if even any
by chance escape these things, yet their senses are
impaired, sight, or hearing, or memory is defective,
and all their faculties much decayed; they are not
strong, nor cheerful, as I am. And they moreover
said, that they looked upon me as having special
grace conferred upon me, and said a great many
eloquent and fine things, in endeavoring to prove
this, which, however, they could not do, for their
arguments were not grounded on good and sufGcient
reasons, but merely on their opinions. I therefore

HAPPINESS IN OLD AGE 51

endeavored to undeceive and set them right, and
convince them that the happiness I enjoyed was not
confined to me, but might be common to all mankind,
since I was but a mere mortal, and different in no
respect from other men, save in this, that I was born
more weakly than some, and had not what is called
a strong constitution. Man, however, in his youthful
days, is more prone to be led by sensuality than rea-
son; yet, when he arrives at the age of forty, or
earlier, he should remember that he has about reached
the summit of the hill, and must now think of going
down, carrying the weight of years with him; and
that old age is the reverse of youth, as much as order
is the reverse of disorder; hence, it is requisite that
he should alter his mode of life, in regard to the
quality and quantity of his food and drink. For it
is impossible in the nature of things, that the man
who is bent on indulging his appetite, should be
healthy and free from ailments. Hence it was. to
avoid this vice and its evil effects, I embraced a
regular and sober life. It is no doubt true, that I
at first found some difficulty in accomplishing this,
but in order to conquer the difficulty I besought the
Almighty to grant the virtue of sobriety in all things,
well knowing that He would graciously hear my
prayer. Then, considering that when a man is about
to undertake a thing of importance, which he knows

62 THE SOBER LIFE

he can compass, though not without difficulty, he may
make it much easier to himself by being steady in
his purpose, I pursued this course: I endeavored
gradually to relinquish a disorderly life, and to suit
myself to strict temperate rules; and thus it came
to pass, that a sober and moderate life no longer
became disagreeable, though, on account of the weak-
ness of my constitution, I tied myself down to very
strict rules in regard to the quantity and quality
of what I ate and drank.

Others, who happen to be blessed with a strong
constitution, may eat a greater variety of food, and
in somewhat larger quantity, each man being a guide
to himself, consulting always his judgment and rea-
son, rather than his fancy or appetite, and further
let him always strictly abide by his rules, for he
will receive little benefit if he occasionally indulges
in excess.

Now, on hearing these arguments, and examining
the reasons on which they were founded, the doctors
and philosophers agreed that I had advanced nothing
but what was true. One of the younger of them
said that I appeared to enjoy the special grace of
being able to relinquish, with ease, one kind of life,
and embrace another, a thing which he knew from
theory to be feasible, but in practice to be difficult,
for it had proved as hard to him, as easy to me.

HAPPINESS IN OLD AGE 53

To this I replied, that, being human like himself,
I likewise had found it no easy task, but it did not
become a man to shrink from a glorious and prac-
tical task, on account of its difficulties; the greater
the obstacles to overcome, the greater the honor
and benefit. Our beneficent Creator is desirous, that,
as He originally favored human nature with longev-
ity, we should all enjoy the full advantage of His
intentions, knowing that when a man has passed sev-
enty, he may be exempt from the sensual strivings,
and govern himself entirely by the dictates of reason.
Vice and immorality then leave him, and God is will-
ing that he should live to the full maturity of his
years, and has ordained that all who reach their natu-
ral term should end their days without sickness, but
by mere dissolution, the natural way; the wheels of
life quietly stopping, and man peacefully leaving this
world, to enter upon immortality, as will be my case ;
for I am sure to die thus, perhaps while chanting
my prayers. Nor do the thoughts of death give me
the least concern; nor does any other thought con-
nected with death, namely, the fear of the punish-
ment to which wicked men are liable, because I am
bound to believe, that being a Christian, I shall be
saved by the virtue of the most sacred blood of Jesus
Christ, which He freely shed in order to save those
who trust in Him. Thus, how beautiful my life!

54 THE SOBER LIFE

how happy my end ! To this, the young doctor had
nothing to reply, but that he would follow my ex-
ample.

The great desire I had, my Lord, to converse with
you at this distance, has forced me to be prolix, and
still obliges me to proceed, though not much farther.
There are some sensualists, my Lord, who say that I
have thrown away my time and trouble, in writing
a treatise upon temperance, and other discourses on
the same subject; alleging, that it is impossible to
conform to it, so that my treatise must answer as
little purpose as that of Plato on Government, who
took a great deal of pains to recommend a thing
impracticable. Now, this much surprises me, as
they may see that I lived a sober life many years
before I wrote my treatise, and I should never have
composed it, had I not been convinced, that it was
such a life as any man might lead; and being a vir-
tuous life, would be of great service to him ; so that I
felt myself under an obligation to present it in its
true light. Again, I have the satisfaction to hear
that numbers, on reading my treatise, have embraced
such a life. So that the objection concerning Plato
on Government is of no force against my case. But
a sensualist is an enemy to reason, and a slave to
his passions.

The Fourth Discourse

AN EXHORTATION TO A SOBER AND
REGULAR LIFE, IN ORDER TO ATTAIN
OLD AGE

Not to be wanting in my duty, and not to lose
at the same time the satisfaction I feel in being
useful to others, I again take up my pen to inform
those, who, for want of conversing with me, are
strangers to what those with whom I am acquainted,
know and see. But as some things may appear to
certain persons scarcely credible, though actually
true, I shall not fail to relate for the benefit of the
public. Wherefore, I say, being arrived at my ninety-
fifth year, God be praised, and still finding myself
sound and hearty, content and cheerful, I never cease
to thank the Divine Majesty for so great a blessing,
considering the usual condition of old men. These
scarcely ever attain the age of seventy, without los-
ing health and spirits, and growing melancholy and
peevish. Moreover, when I remember how weak and
sickly I was between the ages of thirty and forty,
and how from the first, I never had what is called a
strong constitution; I say, when I remember these
things, I have surely abundant cause for gratitude,

55

66 THE SOBER LIFE

and though I know I cannot live many years longer,
the thought of death gives me no uneasiness ; I, more-
over, firmly believe that I shall attain to the age of
one hundred years. But, to render this dissertation
more methodical, I shall begin by considering man
at his birth ; and from thence accompany him through
every stage of life, to his grave.

I therefore say, that some come into the world
with the stamina of life so weak, that they live but
a few days, or months, or years, and it is not always
easy to show, to what the shortness of life is owing.
Others are bom sound and lively, but still, with a
poor, weakly constitution; and of these, some live
to the age of ten, twenty, others to thirty or forty,
but seldom live to be old men. Others, again, bring
into the world a perfect constitution, and live to an
old age; but it is generally, as I have said, an old
age of sickness and sorrow, for which usually they
have to thank themselves, because they unreasonably
presumed on the goodness of their constitution ; and
cannot, by any means, be brought to alter when
grown old, from the mode of life they pursued in
their younger days, but live as irregularly when past
the meridian of life, as they did in the time of their
youth. They do not consider, that the stomach has
lost much of its natural heat and vigor, and that,
therefore, they should pay great attention to the

A SOBER AND REGULAR LIFE 57

quality and quantity of what they eat and drink;
but, rather than decrease, many of them are for
increasing the quantity, saying, that, as health and
vigor grow less, they should endeavor to repair the
loss by a great abundance of food, since it is by sus-
tenance we are to preserve ourselves.

But it is here that the great mistake is made ; since,
as the natural force and heat lessen as a man grows
in years, he should diminish the quantity of his food
and drink, as nature at that period is content with
little; and moreover, if increasing the amount of
nourishment was the proper thing, then, surely the
majority of men would live to a great age in the
best of health. But do we see it so? On the con-
trary, such a case is a rare exception; whilst my
course of life is proved to be right, by reason of
its results. But, though some have every reason
to believe this to be the case, they nevertheless, be-
cause of their want of strength of character, and
their love of repletion, still continue their usual man-
ner of living. But were they, in due time, to form
strict temperate habits, they would not grow infirm
in their old age, but would continue as I am, strong
and hearty, and might live to the age of one hun-
dred, or one hundred and twenty. This has been
the case with others of whom we read, men who were
born with a. good constitution, and lived sober and

68 THE SOBER LIFE

abstemious lives; and had it been my lot to have
enjoyed a strong constitution, I should make no
doubt of attaining to that age. But as I was bom
feeble, and with an infirm constitution, I am afraid
I shall not outlive an hundred years ; and were others,
bom weakly as myself, to betake them to a life like
mine, they would, like me, live to the age of a hun-
dred, as shall be my case.

And this certainty of being able to live to a great
age is, in my opinion, a great advantage (of course
I do not include accidents, to which all are liable,
and which must specially be left to our Maker) , and
highly to be valued ; none being sure of this blessing,
except such as adhere to the rules of temperance.
This security of life is built on good and truly natu-
ral reasons, which can never fail ; it being impossible
thai he who leads a perfectly sober and temperate
life, should breed any sickness, or die before his
time. Sooner, he cannot through ill-health die, as
his sober life has the virtue to remove the cause of
sickness, and sickness cannot happen without a cause ;
which cause being removed, sickness is also removed,
and untimely and painful death prevented.

And there is no doubt, that temperance in food
and drink, taking only as much as nature really
requires, and thus being guided by reason, instead of
appetite, has efficacy to remove all cause of disease;

A SOBER AND REGULAR LIFE 59

for since health and sickness, life and death, depend
on the good or bad condition of a man's blood, and
the quality of his humors, such a life as I speak of
purifies the blood, and corrects all vicious humors,
rendering all perfect and harmonious. It is true,
and cannot be denied, that man must at last die,
however careful with himself he may have been ; but
yet, I maintain, without sickness and great pain;
for in my case I expect to pass away quietly and
peacefully, and my present condition insures this
to me, for, though at this great age-, I am hearty
and content, eating with a good appetite, and sleep-
ing soundly. Moreover, all my senses are as good
as ever, and in the highest perfection; my under-
standing clear and bright, my judgment sound, my
memory tenacious, my spirits good, and my voice
(one of the first things which is apt to fail us) has
grown so strong and sonorous, that I cannot help
chanting aloud my prayers, morning and night, in-
stead of whispering and muttering them to myself
as was formerly my custom.

O, how glorious is this life of mine, replete with
all the felicities which man can enjoy on this side
of the grave! It is entirely exempt from that sen-
sual brutality, which age has enabled my reason to
banish; thus I am not troubled with passions, and
my mind is calm, and free from all perturbations,

60 THE SOBER LIFE

and doubtful apprehensions. Nor can the thought
of death find room in my mind, at least, not in any
way to disturb me. And all this has been brought
about, by God's mercy, through my careful habit of
living. How different from the life of most old men,
full of aches and pains, and forebodings, whilst mine
is a life of real pleasure, and I seem to spend my
days in a perpetual round of amusements, as I shall
presently show.

And first, I am of service to my country, and what
a joy is this. I find infinite delight in being en-
gaged in various improvements, in connection with
the important estuary or harbor of this city, and
fortifications; and although this Venice, this Queen
of the Sea, is very beautiful, yet I have devised means
by which it may be made still more beautiful, and
more wealthy, for I have shown in what way she may
abound with provisions, by improving large tracts of
land, and bringing marshes and barren sand under
cultivation. Then again, I have another great joy
always present before me. Some time since, I lost a
great part of my income, by which my grandchildren
would be great losers. But I, by mere force of
thought, have found a true and infallible method of
repairing such loss more than double, by a judicious
use of that most commendable of arts, agriculture.
Another great comfort to me is to think that my

A SOBER AND REGULAR LIFE 61

treatise on temperance is really useful, as many as-
sure me by word of mouth, and others by letter,
where they say, that, under God they are indebted
to me for their life. I have also much joy in being
able to write, and am thus of service to myself and
others ; and the satisfaction I have in conversing withi
men of ability and superior understanding is very
great, from whom I learn something fresh. Now,
what a comfort is this, that old as I am, I am able,
without fatigue of mind or body thus to be fully
engaged, and to study the most important, difficult,
and sublime subjects.

I must further add, that at this age, I appear to
fen joy two lives: one terrestrial, which in fact I pos-
sess, the other celestial, which I posses* in thought ;
and this thought is actual enjoyment, when founded
upon things we are sure to attain, and I, through
the infinite mercy and goodness of God, am sure of
eternal life. Thus, I enjoy the terrestrial life in
consequence of my sobriety and temperance, virtues
so agreeable to the Deity, and I enjoy, by the grace
of God, the celestial, which He makes me anticipate
in thought ; a thought so lively, as to fix me entirely
on this subject, the fruition of which I hold to be
of the utmost certainty. And I further maintain,
that, dying in the manner I expect, is not really
(death, but a passage of the soul from this earthly

62 THE SOBER LIFE

life to a celestial, immortal, and infinitely perfect
existence. Neither can it be otherwise; and this
thought is so pleasing, so superlatively sublime, that
it can no longer stoop to low and worldly objects,
such as the death of this body, being entirely taken
up with the happiness of living a celestial and divine
life. Whence it is, that I enjoy two lives; and the
thought of terminating this earthly life gives me no
concern, for I know that I have a glorious and im-
mortal life before me.

Now, is it possible, that any one should grow tired
of so great a comfort and blessing as this which I
enjoy, and which the majority of persons might
attain, by leading the life I have led, an example
which every one has it in his power to follow? for I
am no saint, but a mere man, a servant of God, to
whom so regular a life is extremely agreeable.

Now, there are men who embrace a spiritual and
contemplative life, and this is holy and commendable,
their chief employment being to celebrate the praises
of God, and to teach men how to serve Him. Now,
if while these men set themselves apart for this life,
they would also betake themselves to sober and tem-
perate living, how much more agreeable would they
render themselves in the sight of God and men. What
a much greater honor and ornament would they be
to the world. They would likewise enjoy constant

A SOBER AND RE;G.t;io^Jt LIFfi i i 63

health and happiness, would attain a great age, and
thus become eminently wise and useful ; whereas, now,
they are mostly infirm, irritable, and dissatisfied, and
think that their various trials and ailments are sent
them by Almighty God, with a view of promoting
their salvation ; that they may do penance in this life
for their past errors. Now, I cannot help saying,
that in my opinion, they are greatly mistaken; for
I cannot believe that the Deity desires that man, his
favorite creature, should be infirm and melancholy,
but rather, that he should enjoy good health and be
happy. Man, however, brings sickness and disease
upon himself, by reason, either of his ignorance or
wilful self-indulgence. Now, if those who profess
to be our teachers in divine matters would also set
the example, and thus teach men how to preserve
their bodies in health, they would do much to make
the road to heaven easier: men need to be taught
that self-denial and strict temperance is the path
to health of body and health of mind, and those who
thus live see more clearly than others what their duty
is toward our Saviour Jesus Christ, who came down
upon earth to shed His precious blood, in order to
deliver us from the tyranny of the devil, such was
His immense goodness and lovingkindness to man.

Now, to make an end of this discourse, I say, that
since length of days abounds with so many favors

64 TJiE SOBER LIFE

and blessings, and I, not by theory, but by blessed
experience can testify to it — indeed, I solemnly assure
all mankind that I really enjoy a great deal more
than I can mention, and that I have no other reason
for writing, but that of demonstrating the great
advantages, which arise from longevity, and such a
life as I have lived — I desire to convince men, that
they may be induced to observe these excellent rules
of constant temperance in eating and drinking, and
therefore, I never cease to raise my voice, crying out
to you, my friends, that your lives may be even as
mine.

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